Haldimand County council has renewed the lease agreements for 10 community halls that sit on county property.

At the Monday, December 10 Council in Committee meeting, council approved extending the lease agreements of community halls in Caledonia, Cayuga, Canboro, Jarvis, Lowbanks, Nanticoke, Fisherville, Cheapside and Rainham.

All of the lease agreements had since expired in 2009, but Craig Manley, general manager of planning and economic development, said this was one of the legacy issues that the county had to deal with since evolving and amalgamating.

“When we reorganized the organization in 2010, it was at that time when we became aware of some discrepancy, and staff has been trying to clean up those issues.”

Katrina Schmitz, community partnership liaison, confirmed that the community halls all agreed to the new lease terms.

Council also approved extending the county’s lease agreement with the Dunnville Boat Club for one year until November 30, 2013. In the meantime, county staff and the boat club will use this time to negotiate a long-term lease agreement.

In 1986, the club had a lease agreement for the land, which expired in March 2011. It has since been renewed to November 30, 2011 and November 30, 2012.

The lease will continue for one more year at a cost of $5 from the Dunnville Boat Club.